George Boyle
Save-the-dates are an exciting part of wedding planning. They are typically sent out between 6 to 8 months before the wedding, but this can be earlier for destination weddings. They are an informal notice to your guests, letting them know to keep the date free before they receive the official invitation. So, what should you include on a save-the-date?
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Names of the couple
When it comes to the names of the couple on a wedding save-the-date card, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is essential to decide how formal or informal you want the wording to be. Traditional save-the-dates often use the couple's full names, including middle names or initials. For example, "Mr. John Michael Smith and Ms. Emily Elizabeth Brown request your presence on their special day." This format conveys a sense of formality and tradition. If you prefer a more modern and casual approach, you can simply use the first and last names, such as "John Smith and Emily Brown invite you to celebrate their wedding." This style is more relaxed and intimate.
Another aspect to consider is the use of titles or honorifics. Traditionally, titles like "Mr." and "Ms." or "Dr." and "Rev." are used before the names of the couple. This is especially common for formal weddings. However, if you want to forgo tradition, you can opt to leave out the titles entirely and just use the couple's names. This creates a more contemporary feel. Additionally, if one or both members of the couple have a professional title that is important to their identity, you might consider including it. For instance, "Dr. Emily Brown and Mr. John Smith" recognises the couple while highlighting the achievement of the medical degree.
In terms of formatting, you can choose to list the names alphabetically or in a specific order. Some couples may prefer to list the name of the partner who is better known to the majority of the guests first. For example, if one partner has a large extended family, their name might appear first. Alternatively, you can opt to list the name of the person you believe the majority of guests will know first. This approach helps guests easily identify the couple and understand who is getting married, especially if they are only familiar with one member of the couple or if the couple has a large age gap and associates primarily with different age groups.
It is also worth noting that you should use the names that guests will recognise. If one or both members of the couple go by a nickname or a middle name, it might be more appropriate to use those instead of their legal names. For example, if everyone knows the groom as "Buddy," but his given name is "Walter," it might be more meaningful to guests to see "Buddy Smith" on the save-the-date. Similarly, if the bride legally changes her name upon marriage, it might be more recognisable to guests to use the name she will be taking, such as "Jane Smith," even if her current last name is different.
Lastly, don't forget to consider any cultural or personal traditions that may influence the way names are presented. For example, in some cultures, it is customary to include the names of the couple's parents on the save-the-date. In other traditions, honorifics or specific titles may be important to include. If the couple has a unique dynamic or background, their names could also reflect this. Following these guidelines and considering your personal preferences will ensure that the names of the couple on your wedding save-the-date card are presented perfectly.
Kickstarting Your Wedding Planning Career
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wedding date
A wedding save-the-date is an informal notice sent to your A-list guests before the official invitation. It is meant to be simple and high-level, providing essential details to allow guests to mark their calendars. This typically includes the names of the couple, the wedding date, and the location (city and state).
It is becoming more common to include a wedding website URL on save-the-dates, which can direct guests to further information such as the dress code, travel and accommodation details, and the wedding registry. This can be added as a QR code, driving guests to the website for more details.
Save-the-dates are typically sent out between six to eight months before the wedding, though they can be sent earlier, especially for destination weddings. This gives guests ample time to prepare, especially if they need to book time off work or make travel arrangements.
Save-the-dates can be a great way to set the tone for your wedding, with design details such as wax seals, vellum overlays, or pressed floral accents. They can also be a fun opportunity to get creative, with quirky options like plantable paper, tea bags, or magnets.
Launching Your Wedding Planning Business: Sherrie Wilkolaski's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Location (city and state)
The location of your wedding is one of the most important pieces of information to include on your save-the-date card. This allows your guests to start making travel arrangements and planning their attendance.
When it comes to the location, you only need to include the city and state—you do not need to include the exact venue or address. This is because save-the-dates are meant to be high-level and simple, giving your guests a heads-up about the date and location so they can start planning. The save-the-date card precedes the official invitation, which will include more specific details.
If you have chosen a destination wedding, it is a good idea to send out your save-the-dates earlier, between eight to twelve months in advance. This gives your guests ample time to book flights and reserve accommodations. For domestic weddings, the recommended time frame for sending save-the-dates is six to eight months before the wedding.
You can include your wedding website URL on the save-the-date card, which will allow guests to access more information as it becomes available, such as hotel blocks, the dress code, and your registry. However, it is not necessary to include this, and you can simply send out a separate invitation with more details closer to the wedding date.
Guests Required: Catholic Wedding Ceremony Attendance Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wedding website URL
The website can be a one-stop shop for guests to refer to, and it also means you can keep your card design simple and elegant. You can include the URL on the reverse of the card, with just the essential details on the front. It is also a good idea to add a QR code to your save-the-date card, which will direct guests to your wedding website. This is a modern and convenient way to encourage guests to access your website.
The website does not need to be fully completed before sending out your save-the-dates. However, it should look clean and contain any early information guests might need, such as hotel blocks and travel arrangements. It is a good idea to include a note on your save-the-date card to let guests know that a formal invitation will follow, and they can expect to receive this closer to the wedding date.
The save-the-date card is a great way to get guests excited about your wedding, and the website can be an extension of this. It can be a place to share your wedding journey and give guests a glimpse of what to expect on the day.
Lo que una wedding planner no puede hacer por ti
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Formal invitation to follow
Save-the-date cards are an exciting first step in the wedding planning process. They are typically sent out six to eight months before the wedding, but this can be up to a year in advance if the wedding is at a destination location. They are a great way to get your guests excited about your big day and to ensure that they have ample time to prepare and plan their attendance.
The save-the-date card does not need to be overly detailed. It is meant to be a simple, high-level announcement. However, there are some key details that should be included. Firstly, it is important to include a "formal invitation to follow" line. This lets your guests know that they will be receiving a formal invitation with more details closer to the wedding date.
The save-the-date should also include the names of the couple, with the bride's name traditionally listed first. Same-sex couples may choose to list their names alphabetically. It is also nice to include a photo of the couple if this suits the design. The wedding location, including the city and state, should be mentioned, and the date of the wedding, of course! This is so that your guests can start making travel arrangements.
Other details such as the venue, dress code, and meal information can be included on your wedding website or the formal invitation sent closer to the wedding date. You can include the wedding website URL on the save-the-date card so that guests can easily access this additional information.
Groom's Guide: Wedding Planning Priorities for Men
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The essentials for a wedding save the date are the couple's names, the wedding date, and the location (city and state). It is also good to include a "formal invitation to follow" line.
Typically, save the dates are sent out six to eight months before the wedding. However, if you are having a destination wedding, it is recommended to send them out eight to twelve months in advance.
You can include a picture of the couple, a QR code or URL to your wedding website, and wax seals, vellum overlays, or pressed floral accents for a tactile experience.
Avoid including specific details such as the order of events, exact timing, colour scheme, dress code, meal information, hotel information, and venue details. These can be included in the formal invitation or on your wedding website.
![ARTESORI Premium Wedding Vow Book for Her & Him, Soft Touch, Gold Foil, 28 Lined Pages, Wedding Vow Books His and Hers, Wedding Essentials, Wedding Registry Ideas, His and Hers Gifts [Ivory & Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4pKgPtNL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
